Double glassing papyrus?

[framinzfun]

I had a customer in this weekend with a papyrus she needed reframed. It was originally framed at our store a few years ago, by someone no longer working for us... Anyway, the former employee told the customer that papyrus should be framed with "double glass". Let me elaborate... starting from the front, it was glass, mat, papyrus, 2 ply backing, glass, paper dust cover. There was no decoration on the back of the papyrus that would need to be seen when finished, and it wouldn't have mattered anyway, since the papyrus was backed and the glass on the back was covered by the dust cover. I can not imagine why a papyrus would need to be framed this way. Any ideas?

 

[2400]

I guess if it was some sort of conservation glass on both ends with airtight seal it might make sense if it was a valuble piece, which I seriously doubt.

 

[Ron Eggers]

It's interesting to me that the former employee would be working so independently that you would be unaware that this odd procedure was being performed or why.

 

[FramerDave]

It certainly wouldn't need to be framed that way. But I'd guess that somewhere in her work experience, she had learned that a lot of customers like to have stuff, especially papryus, squished between two pieces of glass. She probably misunderstood that and it eveolved in her mind that a papryus should be between two pieces of glass, no matter what.

If I accomplish nothing more in life, I can die happy if I will have accomplished the eradication of the let's-squish-it-between-two-pieces-of-glass-so-I-can-see-both-sides-of-it school of framing.

 

[justbecause]

I did a Bis to Bis show sunday and a customer has a papryus that has been rold up for years. So mabe to make it flat. Ok since we are talking about papryus she is going to bring it by. How will I make it flat? Do I put it under weight for some time?

 

[Kit]

Originally posted by FramerDave:

If I accomplish nothing more in life, I can die happy if I will have accomplished the eradication of the let's-squish-it-between-two-pieces-of-glass-so-I-can-see-both-sides-of-it school of framing.

Move over a little, Dave, so I can climb up on that soap box with you. While we're at it, can we take all the glass from the backside of those two sided projects and put it on needle art?

Customers tell me that the gift shop in Cairo where they bought the piece displayed examples framed between two pieces of glass. Usually, I can talk them out of following suit by pointing out that our climate is not like that of Egypt. Since most tour groups head out in the middle of the Minnesota winter, it's an easy argument to make.

There have been lots of discussions about flattening these things - try doing a search for 'humidity chamber'. Or, lightly dampen the back of the piece, sandwich it between two pieces of rag board, and put it the heat press for a couple of minutes.

Note: These things are NEVER straight and NEVER square so they're difficult to overmat.

Kit

 

[Bill Henry-]

I confess that I have done this glass-papyrus-glass sandwich occasionally, but <u>without</u> the inner window mat which will generally obscure the “deckled” edges of the papyrus.

A lot of customers like the look of the papyrus “floating” above a colored mat board blank. Since glass is chemically inert, you can get by with not having to use adhesives on it.

 

[framinzfun]

It's interesting to me that the former employee would be working so independently that you would be unaware that this odd procedure was being performed or why.

Allow me to elaborate on the situation... I am not the owner of the store, I took the place of the 'former employee'a little over a year ago. Therefore, I have no idea what she did and why.

 

[Ron Eggers]

Thanks. I'll sleep better tonight.